The NSW Office of Water has introduced a new Water Monitoring Framework to help protect the State’s water resources.
The Water Monitoring Framework (link is external) will change the way water data is collected, using advanced computer modelling to map and protect underground water resources.
The new framework will be introduced to map the Gunnedah, Gloucester and Clarence Moreton basins. Once complete, the data will be used to support an ‘early warning system’ to quickly identify and tackle potential threats to water resources.
The Water Monitoring Framework will enable the Government to:
Improve governance and accountability in water management
Use data to provide more information to communities about industrial impacts on water quality and quantity.
Improve community access to water data information.
Currently, around 65% of water allocation in NSW is used for irrigated agriculture, while 1.5 per cent of the State’s water is used by the mining industry.
Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said it is crucial that the Government continue to investigate and monitor activity within the basins and protect the State’s valuable water resources.
“The Water Monitoring Framework will provide NSW with honest, independent and consistent oversight and further strengthen the toughest regulations for mining and gas in Australia”, Roberts said.
